It is profoundly mindboggling that people repeatedly vote
against their best self-interest. There are repeated instances of this
phenomenon around the country at the state level as well as at the national
level. The HR recently voted on a budget that does not auger well for retirees,
people of low income, or the poor. At the state level, some governors are
following a script that embodies an austerity ideology as the pathway to
sustainable economic growth.

In Florida, Governor Rick Scott has refused to expand
Medicaid under the ACA in the state that would have benefited 800,000
Floridians. Instead of providing insurance for the uninsured, the governor
filed suit against the Obama administration for threatening to cut off $1.3
billion to fund payments directly to hospitals through CMS.

Gov. Scott also turned his back on funding for a fast train
service from Tampa to Orlando, denying the state an inflow of $2 billion for
the construction and the loss of potential jobs for the state at a time when
the unemployment rate in Florida was 12 percent. (Source: NYTimes.com)
Rick Scott replaced Charlie Crist, who had lobbied for the funds and who also
suggested that 60,000 jobs [were lost]. Mr. Crist made this allegation during
the final gubernatorial debate on October 21, 2014. (See: Politifact.com)
This suggests that voters knew exactly what they were getting in Rick Scott.

In addition, Rick Scott refutes the science of global
warming, although rising sea levels could threaten his state, in particular
Miami. Yet, there is consensus in the scientific community that global warming
is real. March 2015 has seen persistence in the CO2 content of the
atmosphere of 400 ppm (parts per million), the highest level of CO2
in the air in 800,000 years. Reputedly, the safe level of CO2 gas in
the atmosphere is 350 ppm. This appears to be considerably above the 280 ppm in
the preindustrial period. (Source: CBS
News) No reference to global warming appears in government documents as per
instructions from the governor's office.

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In New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie got returned to
office, despite all the baggage he carried. Here is a governor who refused to
expand Medicaid, turned his back on stimulus money for a tunnel connecting New
York to New Jersey. He also refused to honor a pension promise to 800,000 state
workers, and made a side deal with Exxon Mobil for a $225 million settlement in
lieu of $8.9 billion for their 100-year land and water pollution of large swath
of state real estate. Now Gov. Christie is contemplating running for president
of the United States. Ironically, if he does, he would most likely get the
votes of some of his constituents, 'Bridgegate' notwithstanding.

In Kansas, Governor Sam Brownback has gone, perhaps, a
bridge too far. His strategy has been to enact massive tax cuts on the
assumption that this would lead to more investment, faster economic growth, and
greater tax revenues. This ploy has not worked and instead produced a projected
budget deficit of $800 million.
To fix this deficit, the governor wants to raise sin taxes on cigarettes and
alcohol, cut spending on schools, and take money from the state's highway fund
to balance the budget. (See: News.Yahoo.com)
This is an implementation of trickle-down economics on steroids. The governor
survived a bruising reelection campaign last year, despite the difficulties his
policies have created for Kansas. Kansans voted him back into office.

In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott did not disavow the
ridiculous rumors of a Federal takeover of his state. Louie Gohmert joined the
conversation over the military training exercise in Texas as a prelude to a
possible takeover. Ted Cruz lent his voice to this conspiratorial heresy,
saying that he understands why people can feel that way when they don't trust
this government.

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The previous governor of Texas, Rick Perry had also chosen
not to expand Medicaid under Obamacare. Senator Cruz shut down the government
(and blamed Senator Harry Reid and Pres. Obama). He has also thrown in his hat
in the ring of Republican candidates for the 2016 presidential campaign. He has
repeatedly accused the president as being the most divisive present ever. But
when asked to give an example of what he meant, he stammered and became
redundant.

In Wisconsin, Governor Scott Walker has decimated public
sector union and has promised to drive a state in the heart of unions if he
becomes president of the United States. In addition to going after unions, he
seems to be targeting education, too.
Governor Walker wants to rip $500 million for education out of the
budget. He has also refused to expand Medicaid in the state. Despite all this,
or maybe in spite of it, the fast is Governor Walker has defeated efforts to
recall him. This should come as no surprise to the people who voted for him.

In Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal (a potential presidential
candidate) would not be bullied by President Obama and expand Medicaid under
Obamacare. And higher education in the state is facing a project cut of $300 -
$400 million. LSU an erstwhile top university is drafting bankruptcy plans in
response to the state's $1.6 billion deficit.

National Level

The Republican proposed budget would cut $5.5 trillion in 10
years. Cuts in food stamps and welfare, including a complete repeal of the ACA,
will save $1 trillion. They also want to slash $913 billion from Medicaid over
the decade. It is expected that these cuts will cause 37 million people to lose
health insurance. (Source: New
York Times) Somehow, balancing the budget--without tax increases--is the
panacea for economic growth. What this approach ignores is the positive
contribution that funding for investment, education, and research has on
long-term economic growth. It assumes austerity cum widening inequality, where
marginal tax rates are reduced, will spur the rich to initiate new investment
on their own. Perhaps! Republicans trounced Democrats and many cuts proponents
were reelected to Congress during the mid-term elections. Voters have spoken!

Seymour Patterson received a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Oklahoma in 1980. He has taught courses and done research in international economics and economic development. He has been the recipient of two Fulbright awards--the first in (more...)

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